A Wigan heritage tearoom faces neighbour opposition to 10pm opening on 12 days a year
A heritage trust is facing opposition from locals as it bids to open its Astley tearoom later into the evening now and again
Plans for a Wigan borough “heritage tea room” to open until 10pm a dozen nights a year has attracted multiple objections from neighbours.
Merly’s Kitchen occupies part of the ground floor of Damhouse, a Grade II-listed building at Astley Hall Drive, Astley.
Morts Astley Heritage Trust, a charity that operates the Damhouse, currently has a licence for Merly’s to operate from 8am to 8pm.
Next week Wigan Council’s planning committee will deliberate on an application to vary those opening hours to 10pm for up to 12 evenings per year.
The Damhouse is presently home to 14 businesses including a nursery.
The site has significant historical importance, having originally served as a manor house before later being used as a hospital.
In 1994, when the hospital board sold the premises to housing developers, the trust was formed by local residents to safeguard the building and its heritage for future generations.
The trust operates two function rooms that are available for small-scale events, alongside hosting regular community fund-raising activities.
A significant portion of the building retains features dating back to the 1600s.
The trust promotes the historical value of the site by offering guided tours and is also responsible for the maintenance and safety of the surrounding grounds and woodland.
The extended hours application has received 19 objections.
The council has summarised the concerns as the potential impact of extended opening hours on neighbours – including noise and disturbance; late-night activity; anti-social behaviour; crime and disorder; increased vehicle movements; deliveries and servicing; litter; smoking areas; and general residential amenity.
Concerns have also been made about parking and the impact of the proposals on the character and appearance of the Astley Village conservation area and the significance of Dam House as a heritage asset.
In a supporting letter, Morts Astley Heritage Trust said: “As a charitable organisation, the trust relies heavily on maintaining a high level of occupancy across its rental spaces to generate the income necessary to sustain the upkeep of the building and its grounds.
“It is therefore essential that the trust retains a degree of flexibility in accommodating tenants, while ensuring that all uses remain sympathetic to the historic character and setting of the site.
“This flexibility also enables the trust to remain competitive and continue supporting local businesses within the area.”
The tearoom has a maximum capacity of approximately 48 customers.
A planning report said Wigan’s licensing team said no complaints directly attributable to Merly’s Kitchen have been received since the business began trading under its premises licence.
The planning officer report added: “The limited frequency of the additional hours would prevent evening opening from becoming the normal pattern of operation and would materially reduce the potential for sustained or repeated disturbance.”
Astley Hall Drive Residents Association (AHDRA) which represent neighbours has also objected to the extended hours variation.